Resolute Racing has partnered with the Inglis USA Digital platform to offer a 25% share in the undefeated stakes-winning colt Verifire. Bidding for the flash sale will go live July 14 at 2 p.m. ET, and it will be open through July 18, also closing at 2 p.m.
"For me, it makes a lot of sense to offer this opportunity to a potential partner," Resolute Racing founder John Stewart said. "Resolute's core business is focused on a breed-to-race model. It is very unlikely that we will be selling any of our race mares. Since it is not my intention to stand stallions, I see the opportunity to monetize the colts that are performing as a way to generate income to support my operation. It is important to bring things to market when the demand is the highest and right now Verifire has proven himself as one of the top sprint performers in the 3-year-old division on the dirt in North America."
A 3-year-old colt by 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic , undefeated Verifire has been dominant in three starts, starting with a head-turning debut March 15 at Colonial Downs in a six-furlong maiden special weight. In that race, he went to the lead and kicked clear to a 6 1/4-length victory under jockey Flavien Prat. His winning time of 1:08.14 was .28 off the Colonial Downs six-furlong track record of 1:07.86.
Verifire followed up his debut with a 6 1/2-length score in an allowance optional claiming race on Black-Eyed Susan day at Pimlico Race Course, where his winning time was 1:10.65 for the six furlongs.
The colt then made a successful jump into stakes competition in the listed Maxfield Stakes June 29 at Churchill Downs, where he registered a 2 3/4-length win over grade 3 winners Flood Zone and Speed King. Verifire stopped the clock in 1:20.77 in the Maxfield, threatening the Churchill Downs track record for seven furlongs of 1:20.44. He ran a 109 Equibase Speed Figure.
Brad Cox trains Verifire, and the horse will be based at Cox's Churchill Downs barn during and after the flash sale. Resolute Racing will retain control of management decisions regarding the colt.
Verifire is being pointed toward the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course, one of the premier sprint races in the 3-year-old division. The winning bidder will have the option to have Verifire race under their own silks for the colt's next race, whether it is that race or elsewhere. Then they will be part of the silks' rotation (1/4) in future races.
If the winning bidder in the share is a Northern Hemisphere stallion farm, they will have the right to stand Verifire at stud upon his retirement. There are no kickers included in this transaction, meaning the sale price does not increase if Verifire wins major races or awards going forward, as there might be for a typical stud deal transacted while a horse is still running.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see your silks in Saratoga with a very legitimate chance of visiting the winner's circle," said Kyle Wilson, senior director of sales and recruiting at Inglis Digital USA.
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Verifire is out of the stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Ruby Trust. Resolute Racing purchased the colt for $1 million in 2024 from the Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds consignment to the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
All inquiries regarding the Verifire Flash Sale should be directed to consignor ELiTE Sales or Inglis Digital USA.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
